Gas lift apparatus



T. E. BRYAN 2,145,918

,GAS LIFT APPARATUS Filed Deo. 21, 195e 2 sheets-'sheet 1 1 4 l 4 l l 4 1` Feb. 7, 1939.

, Feb. 7, 1939. Y T. E. BRYAN 2,145,918

GAS LIFT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 42l. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/wim l 2. Mamas r/anf www@ Patented-Feb. 7,1939

UNITED V,STATES PATENT OFFICE u- GAsuxnmms y v Thomas E. Bryan, Oklahoma City, Okla. Alipliatln 21, 198C, mi N0. 117,082

13 Clllml. (Cl. 1103-234) This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for removing liquids from wells or the like, and more specifically for removing oil from oil wells Aby means of gas or air under' pressure.

For the purposes of the following specification and claims, the term gas will be used as meaning any. gaseous substance suitablefor the purpose set forth, whether said substance be of that class of gases known as "natural gas, or whether' l0. it be atmospheric or some other composition.

In the past oil has been removed from oil wells and other liquids from similar wells by means of introducing intothe well iirst a casing, the lower end of which may be positioned at some desired 15 point either above 'or below the liquid level in the well, and a tubing within said casing, which tub-- ing is lowered to a point substantially below the liquid level in the well.

Various arrangements have been resorted to k for supplying the gas under pressure to the inside of the casing in an apparatus thus set up, and this gas under pressure has been utilized in a variety of ways for causing the liquid to rise from the bottom of the well through the tubing to the top of the well. Perhaps the simplest arrangement to this end has been that employed in some instances where the gas has simply been allowed to exert a pressure upon the upper surface of the liquid within the well, and thus cause the liquid to rise within the tubing'. This, however, is very limited in its application for a number of reasons, and various types of valves have been employed for admitting the gas under pressure through the walls of the tubing at various points so that such gas might aerate .the liquid standing within the tubing and make the standing columny of liquid lighter. In many instances it is possible to make the liquid suiciently lighter so that the formation pressurevwithin the well will be enabled to lift the y4,0 column of liquid from rthe well hole through the advantages and most of them have certain disadvantages. I t is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement utilizing a combination 55 of the last two forms ofI apparatus for the purl siderable period of time.

pose of eliminating certain disadvantages inherent in each, while retaining the advantages of both.

In the past also it has been customary to provide the valves such as above mentioned, and to 5 permanently attach them to the tubing before it is lowered into place within the well. However, many wells do not require the use of these valves until the well has been in production for a con- Furthermore, where 10 only a single valve is used for admitting a slug of gas to the tubing to force the liquid therefrom, this valve will-in use become worn and may be damaged in various ways so as to become no longer useful. Under those circumstances, it has l5 previously been necessary to pull the entire tubing froml the well so that the valve adjacent the lower end thereof might be removed and repaired or replaced.

It is an object of this invention to provide a 20 means whereby a valve for admitting gasto a ytubing may be removed from or replaced in the tubing without the necessity oi' removing the tubing from the well.

It is a further object to provide a housing for 25 such a valve which may be removed and replaced without removing the tubing from the well.

It is a further object to provide a means within a tubing for removably seating a valve device so that it may be removed from or replaced in the 80 vtubing without the necessity of withdrawing the tubing from the well, and so that when in place Within the well it will control communication between the outside and the inside of the tubing.

It is a further object to provide a combination 86 for* accomplishing the objects above set forth in which the gas about the tubing will be prevented from exerting any pressure upon the upper surface of the liquid within the weil.

Other objects and advantages of this invention 40 will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that said drawings and description are by way of illustration and example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the vprior art and by the terms of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view in vertical cross section of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention in place within a well. l

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical cross section illustrating the kick-oi! valves employed in connection with this apparatus, together with the means of mounting the same on the tubing. v .55

" Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection illustrating an intermitting valve used in connection with this invention, together with the manner of mounting the same within the tubing."

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the housing within which' said intermitting valve is mounted.

Fig'. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross section illustrating the intermitting valve used in connection with this invention. Referring more specifically toFig. l, it will be seen that in the well illustrated there is a casing I which is lowered within the well t0 substantially the top of the producing formation 2. in which position its lower end is below the level of the liquid 3 within the well.

Within the casing I there is lowered a. tubing 4, this tubing being lowered a substantial distance below the lower end of the casing so that its lower end is substantially below the top of the producing formation 2.

At spaced intervals, the tubing is provided with special ttings 5 which are adapted to receive kicko valves in a manner presently to be set orth.- Below these special fittings 5 the tubing is also provided with a coupling member t adapted to be threaded at its opposite ends to the adjacent sections of tubing 4 and provided with threads I for that purpose. Intermediate its threaded end portions this coupling t is provided with an internal unthreaded downwardly converging tapered zone 8 which is adapted to form a seat for a housing 9 containing an intermitting valve, as will be presently set forth.

At the lower end of the annular space formed between the tubing and the casing, this space is closed by means of a packer element I0 so that the annular space designated by the numeral II may be filled with gas under pressure. The space within the tubing 4 which is designated by the numeral I 2 is to be utilized for flowing the liquid from the well. Suitable connections (not shown) will be made at the top of the casing and tubing so that gas under pressure may be supplied to the casing, and so that liquid flowing from the tubing the special fittings 5 are of the type set forth in my co-pendng application Serial No. 103,824. The fittings 5 are also described in said application, as well as the manner in which this valve functions.

It is to be noted that the fittings 5 provide an unobstructed passageway in alignment with the remainder of the tubing, and that each also provides a chamber in communication with this pascommunication with the exterior of the tubing.

Within the cylindrical member 'I4 there is slidably mounted a valve stern I1 having upper and lower valve elements I8 and I9 thereon adapted to seat against the corresponding valve seats I5 and I6. The valve stem is normally held in its lower position by means of a spring 20 surrounding its lower end and bearing against a nut or the like 2| fixed upon the lower end of the Valve stenn- The aimais upper end of this spring 20 bears against the lower end of `a member 22, which is connected with the lower end of the cylindrical member I4. Itis to element I5 and I8, respectively, are larger in diameter than the lower valve seat and valve element I6 and I9, respectively.

In operation it will be seen that the kick-oil. valve :lust described will be normally open, and will be constantly urged to open position by means of the spring 20. It will further be seen that when the pressure within the tubing falls to a sufiiciently low value, the velocity with which the gas will pass in through the valve will exert an unbalanced influence upon the valve and eventually cause it to close. It will be held in closed position because of unequal size of the valve elements until such time as the pressure within the tubing again rises to a value which combined with the eect of the spring 20 will cause the valve to open.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the lower valve, which will be termed an intermitting valve because of its intermittent action, is arranged similarly to the kick-off valve above described, but differs therefrom in certain important respects, this intermitting valve being of the type set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 97,511. v

Like the kick-oil valve above described, this intermitting valve consists of a cylindrical member I4 having upper and lower valve seats I5 and It with a lateral openingthrough the cylindrical member intermediate these valvel seats. A Valve stem Il having valve elements l'and I9 thereon adapted to seat against the aforesaid valve seats, respectively, is also provided, this valve stem preferably having a guide member 23 upon its upper end. In addition, there is provided a third valve seat member 24 against which a valve element 25 is adapted to seat. l

Secured to the lower end of the cylindrical member 'I4 is a chamber 26 within which is disposed on the lower end of the valve stem II and below the valve element 25 a pressure sensitive diaphragm 2l within which may be placed a compression spring 28. Under certain circumstances the pressure diaphragm may be made in such a manner that it will exert the necessary force in an upward direction on the Valve stem Il, and thus render unnecessary the presence of the spring 28. It will be seen that the valve just described differs in its operation from the kickoi valve above mentioned in that it is normally closed, whereas said kick-olf valve is normally open. Further, the valved openings or seat members in the last described valve are larger and capable of conducting more gas into the tubing than are those utilized by the kick-off valves. Similarly, the lateral opening into the cylindrical member I4 of the last mentioned valve is materially larger than that into the kick-oil valve previously described.

The valve which has just been described is mounted within a housing which is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. A nipple 29 connects the lateral opening in the cylindrical member I4 with a corresponding opening in the side wall of the housing, and the valve assembly is mounted within the housing by means of this connection, and

, be noted that the upper valve seat and valve by'means of a lower supporting connection illusananas is .formed with a circumferential groove Ii .theretervals along said conduits for controlling comabout ai',` the position of the lateral opening through the housing. The coupling I is likewise provided with a lateral opening l2 at such a level that when the housing I is seatedwithin the` coupling 6 the groove ll and the lateral opening in the housing will register with the lateral opening I2 in the coupling. Thus, the interior of the cylindrical member I l of the valve within the housing 9 will be in direct communication with the exterior of the tubing. f

It is further to be noted that the housing l is open at its lower end as at I8, and is provided at its upper end with openings ll so that liquid may pass freely therethrough when it is inits place within the couping B. Extending upwardly above the openings 34 is a spear connection Il adapted to receive an overshot or similar fishing tool which may be lowered-into the well for the purpose of removing the housing l and its contained valve from the tubing.

From the foregoing it will be seen that unde ordinary conditions of operation, the upper valves which have been designated as kick-oil valves, will'first admit a gas into the tubing to move such liquid as may lie above these valves, and that the diaphragm valve which has been termedan inter- -mitting valve will then act as a pump for admitting successiveslugs of gas into the tubing so as to removethe iluid as it comes into the well tubing. It is to be noted that the manner of mounting the kick-off valves is such that the tubing is open from its upper end downwardly to the position of the diaphragm valve. This makes it possible to either lower or drop the housing containing the diaphragm or intermitting valve into position from the upper end oi' the tubing while the tubing is in place within the well, and whenever desired to lower a line or cable into the well with a suitable fishing tool on the lower end thereof to engage the element 35 of the housing, and by this means to remove the housing from vthe well without removal of the tubing. y

It will b e seen from the foregoing that a means has been provided for carrying out all the objects and advantages sought by this invention.

I claim:

, 1,. In a device for raising iiuid from a well, in

' gas from said gas containing conduit into said liquid conduit, and a normally closed valve below said first mentioned valves for controlling communication between said gas containingconduit and said liquid conduit,lsaid last mentioned valve being adapted to be opened by a predeterminedv ing conduit being closed at its lower end.

2. In a device for raising i'luid from a well, in combination, a pair of conduits inA said well, one of said conduits being adapted to.contain a gas under pressure and the other of said conduits being adapted to conduit a liquid from saidwell,

a plurality ofl normally open valves vat spaced ingas from said gas containing conduit into said liquid conduit, and a normally closed valve below said first mentioned valvesior controlling communication between said gas containing conduit and said liquid conduit, said last mentioned valve being adapted to be opened by a predetermined pressure within said liquid conduit and adapted to remain open until `the pressure within said liquid conduit falls to a predetermined value lower than said pressure at whichsaid valve will open.

3. In a device for raising fluid from a well, in combination, a pair of conduits in said well, one oi said conduits being adapted to contain a gas under pressure and the other of said conduits being adapted to conduct a liquid from said well, a plurality of normally open valves at spaced intervals along said conduits for controlling communication therebetween, and a. normally closed lvalve below said first mentioned valves for. controlling communication between said gas containing conduit 'and said liquid conduit, said last mentioned valve being adapted to be opened by a predetermined pressure within said liquid conduitl and adapted to remain open until the pressure within said liquid conduit falls to a predetermined value lower than said pressure at which said valve will open.

4. In a device for raising a liquid from a well, in combination, a pair of 4conduits extending into said well, one of said conduits being adapted to contain a gas under pressure and the other of said conduits being adapted to conduct a liquid from said well, said other conduit having a downwardly converging tapered. portion therein adapted to form a seat fora valve housing, and having a `lateral opening through said seat in communication with the interior of said one conduit, and an externally tapered valve housing adapted to be moved through said other conduit tov seat against said seat, said valve housing having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof and having lateral openingv adapted to register with the lateral opening of said other conduit when said housing is seated upon said seat, and having ymeans at its upper end whereby it may be removed from said other conduit, and a valve'within said housing for controlling passage through said opening in the side wall of the said other conduit and said opening in the valve housing.

5. In a device for raising a liquid from a well, l

in combination, a pair of conduits extending into said well, one of said conduits being adapted to contain a gas under pressure andthe other of said conduits being adapted to conducta liquid from said well, said other conduit having an upwardly facing seattherein adapted to receive a valve housing, and having a lateral opening through said seat in communication with the interior of said one conduit, a valve housing adapted to be moved through said other conduit to seat against said seat, said valve housing having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof and having a lateral opening adapted to register with the lateral opening of said other conduit when said housing is seatedv upon said seat, and having means at its upper end whereby it may be removed from said other conduit, and a valvewithin said housing for controlling passage through said opening in the side wall of the said other conduit and said opening in the valve housing.

6. In a device for raising a liquid from a well,

in combination, one conduit adapted, to contain a gas under pressure and another conduit adapted to conduct a liquid from said well, said other conduit having an upwardly facing seattherein adaptedto receive a valve housing, and having an opening through said seat into said one conduit, anda valve housing movable through said other conduit to seat against said seat and having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof and an opening through its side wall adapted to register with the opening through the side wail of said other conduit, and having means at its upper end whereby it may be removed from said other conduit, and a valve within said housing for controlling passage through said opening in the side wall of the said other conduit and said opening in the valve housing.

7. In a device for raising a liquid from a well, in combination, `one conduit adapted to contain a gas under pressure and another conduit adapted to conduct a liquid from said well, said'other conduit having an upwardly facing seat therein adapted to receive a valve housing, and having an opening through said seat into said one conduit, and a valve housing movable through said other conduit to seat against said seat and having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof and an `opening through its side wall adapted to register vwith the opening through the side wall of said other conduit, and having means at its upper end whereby it may be removed from said other conduit. v

8. In a device for raising a liquid from a well, incombination, one conduit adapted to contain a gas under pressure and another 'conduit adapted to conduct a liquid from said well, said other conduit having an upwardly facing seat therein adapted to receive a valve housing, and having an opening through said seat into said one conduit, and a valve housing movable through said other conduit to seat against said seat and having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof Iand an opening through its side wall adapted to reg-f ister with the opening through the side wall of said other conduit.

9. In combination with a conduit for remov- "ing liquid from a well, said conduit having a latalessia 10. In a valve assembly for controlling the admission of gas under pressure into a liquid 'column, a housing having an externally tapered surface convergent downwardly and having an opening through one of its side walls, and inlet and outlet openings at its lower and upper ends. respectively, and a'normally. closed valve means mounted within said housing for controlling ingress to said housing through said lateral opening, said valve means being arranged to be opened by a predetermined pressure of riuid within said housing, and to close only after the pressure within said housing has fallen to a predetermined value lower than the pressure required to open said valve.

l11. In a valve assembly for controlling the admission of gas under pressure into a liquid column, a housing having an external seating surface and having a llateral opening through said surface, and inlet and outlet openings at its lower and upper ends, respectively, and a normally closed valve means mounted within said housing for controlling ingress to said housing through said lateral opening, said valve means being arranged to be opened by a predetermined pressure of iluid within said housing, and to close only after the pressure within said housing has fallen to a predetermined value lower than the pressure required to open said valve.

12. In a valve assembly for controlling the admission of gas under pressure into a liquid column, a housing having an external seating surface and having a lateral opening through said surface, and inlet and outlet openings at its lower and upper ends, respectively, and a valve means mounted within said housing for controlling ingress to said housing through said lateral opening, said valve means being arranged to be opened by a predetermined pressure of fluid within said housing, and to close only after the pressure within said housing' has fallen to a predetermined value lower than the pressure required to open said valve.

13. In a valve assembly for controlling the admission of gas under pressure into a liquid column, a housing having an external seating surface and having a lateral opening through said surface, and inlet and outlet openings at its lower and upper ends, respectively, and a valve means mounted within said housing for controlling ingress to said housing through said lateral opening.

THOMAS E. BRYAN. 

